by our College Data Analytics Team
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oglala Lakota College tops our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools in South Dakota. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Sinte Gleska University one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Northern State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $24,242. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $46,042. That is a strong return on a $24,242 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $43,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.